England vs Italy referee: Who is taking charge of the Euro 2025 semi-final?

Referee Ivana Martincic pointing during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Group D match between Netherlands and France at St. Jakob-Park on July 13, 2025 in Basel, Switzerland.
Ivana Martincic has already taken charge of Euro 2025 games (Image credit: Getty Images)

England vs Italy is the first semi-final of Euro 2025 and it will see the defending champions attempt to reach a consecutive final.

The Lionesses executed a sensational comeback against Sweden to make the last four, while Italy dispatched of Norway.

The semi-final is Italy's first at a women's Euros since 1997 but who will be in the middle for it?

England vs Italy: Who's the referee?

Referee chats to Portuguese players during Euro 2025

Ivana Martincic is a groundbreaking referee (Image credit: Getty Images)

The official in charge of the match is Croatia's Ivana Martincic.

The 39-year-old has been FIFA listed since 2014 and regularly takes charge of games in Croatia's top flight.

Lauren Hemp of England celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's third goal during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Group D match between England and Wales at Arena St. Gallen on July 13, 2025 in St Gallen, Switzerland.

England take on Italy in the semi-final (Image credit: Getty Images)

She is also a groundbreaking official, becoming the first woman to referee a match for the German men's team. That came in a 2021 game against Liechtenstein.

Martincic also has other international experience as she was a referee at Euro 2022 and the 2023 World Cup.

The Arsenal players in the England squad will also be familiar with the referee as she recently took charge of their Women's Champions League final against Barcelona.

The Gunners came out 1-0 winners with Stina Blackstenius scoring the winning goal in Lisbon.

Italy celebrate Cristiana Girelli's winner

Cristiana Girelli will look to score against England (Image credit: Getty Images)

Italy have a more recent interaction with the referee as she took charge of their group match against Portugal, which ended 1-1.

For Tuesday's semi-final, Martincic will be assisted by compatriot Sanja Rodjak-Karšić and Slovenian Staša Špur.

The Netherlands' Dennis Higler will be the VAR and Swiss Désirée Grundbacher has been named as the fourth official.

If England win the match they will have reached a third consecutive major tournament final and also Sarina Wiegman would make it five consecutive major tournaments finals as a manager.

She led the Netherlands to Euros glory in 2017 and the 2019 World Cup final. Wiegman then replicated the feats with England.

Italy, meanwhile, have not reached a women's major tournament final since 1997.

Sarah Rendell
Women's football editor

Sarah joined the FourFourTwo team in September 2024 in a freelance role. She also writes for The Guardian, BBC and Rugby World where she specialises in women's football and rugby. Sarah has a bachelors degree in English and a master's in newspaper journalism.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.